National Kite Flying Day is on Monday, February 8, 2027, and it falls on February 8 every year. It’s a reason to get outside with a kite, whether it’s a simple diamond or a stunt kite with two lines. February winds are often steady enough to get one up.
When Is National Kite Flying Day?
It’s always February 8. It’s an unofficial day, so pick the nearest breezy weekend if the 8th is calm.
Who Started National Kite Flying Day?
No founder or start year has been documented.
Background: kites that made history
In June 1752, Benjamin Franklin flew a kite during a Philadelphia thunderstorm to show that lightning is electrical. It was made from a silk handkerchief, with a metal key tied near the end of the string.
The kite picked up charge from the storm, which he stored in a Leyden jar, The Franklin Institute explains. Franklin described the test in the Pennsylvania Gazette on October 19, 1752.
In July 1899, the Wright brothers built a biplane kite with a five-foot wingspan. They used it to test wing-warping, twisting the wings to steer. The Smithsonian calls it their first aircraft.
Why Fly a Kite?
It’s cheap, gets you outdoors and teaches real science. A kite needs air moving past it to create lift, NASA’s kite guide explains.
The day is also a reminder that kites helped shape history, from electricity to the first airplane.
How to Celebrate National Kite Flying Day
- Find an open field: beaches, large parks and empty ball fields give you room and steady wind.
- Launch with the wind behind you: hold the kite up and give the line a small tug.
- Walk backward in light wind: it adds airflow; wind is usually stronger higher up, so you can often stand still once it climbs.
- Build a sled kite: it needs only a trash bag, two dowels, tape and string, and it flies in light wind.
- Try a two-line stunt kite: practice figure eights and loops once you can keep it steady.
- Recreate the Wright kite: older kids can build a small biplane kite and test how wing twist turns it.
How to Fly a Kite Safely
Fly in an open area far from power lines. If wind pushes your kite toward a line, let go, and never try to pull a kite out of power lines.
Southern California Edison also warns against kites with metal wires or parts, and against flying a damp kite. Call your utility if anything gets caught.
Frequently Asked Questions
Was Franklin’s kite struck by lightning?
No. The Franklin Institute notes it was never struck; he likely would have died if it had been. It only picked up electrical charge from the storm.
Where are the big U.S. kite festivals?
The free Blossom Kite Festival fills the Washington Monument grounds in late March. Austin’s ABC Kite Fest at Zilker Park dates back to 1929.
What kite is easiest for beginners?
A simple diamond or sled kite with one line. Sled kites fly well in light wind and are easy to build at home.
Sources
- The Franklin Institute – Benjamin Franklin’s Kite and Key Experiment
- Smithsonian – 1899 Wright Kite (Reproduction)
- NASA Glenn Research Center – Flying a Kite
- Southern California Edison – Fly Kites Far Away From Power Lines
- National Cherry Blossom Festival – Blossom Kite Festival
- Business Wire – The ABC Kite Fest Flies into 91st Year at Zilker Park